Compile break down: Mission: Healer in the Tower Day 194 (Starbase Geneva – Deck 82, Dennison CO temporary Office – CO Archibald Stakes - 1109) ********************************************************* Mission: Interlude Date: 2408.02.19 (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum - Maragu –1025) (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum, ACEO Lanista, 1026) (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum - Maragu ­1027) (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma, 1323) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS - Ensign (jg) Alex Jefferies - 1330) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS - Ensign Cattia (Kit) Spero - 1332) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1340) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1341) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1345) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 – Personal Quarters – CSO/2O Dale Bracken – 1346) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1347) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 – Mess Hall – CSO/2O Dale Bracken – 1350) (Starbase Geneva - Deck 62, TAC/SC's office - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Sanjay Smith - 1351) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1352) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies- 1355) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1358) Date: 2408.02.20 (Starbase Geneva - Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 2009) (Starbase Geneva - Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - OO Petty Officer 1st Class Chrystine Nicklaus - 2010) (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Captain Archibald Stakes , Yeoman Esme and Mei Ling Hikaru - 2011) (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - The Stakes Family - 2016) (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, ACEO Lanista, 2017) (Starbase Geneva – Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Lt (sg) Donald Johnson - 2021) (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, ACEO Lanista, 2022) (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Lt (sg) Donald Johnson - 2023) (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, Yeoman William Stakes, 2055) (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Admiral Lydia Stakes and Captain Archibald Stakes - 2116) Date: 2408.02.21 (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - aCO Cmdr Olorin Okita - 1100) (USS Mithrandir - Bridge - aCO Cmdr Olorin Okita - 1120) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Stardate: 2407.01.19 Day: 194 ********************************************************* (Starbase Geneva – Deck 82, Dennison CO temporary Office – CO Archibald Stakes - 1109) "Oh,” Dale remarked, “that reminds me, I found this in my flight bag, I rather suspect it’s from the Admiral, his family has a small distillery.” The CSO reached into her flight bag and withdrew a bottle. “I’ve no idea if you drink sir, but that looks like an awfully good malt whiskey, 23 years old according to the label?” Dale smiled, as she handed it over. “I did wonder if the date was significant, I rather suspect it’s an apology for...kidnapping me.” Archibald's eyes narrowed. An Admiral feeling guilty? Not very likely. Besides, somehow Archibald felt it unlikely that a Star Fleet Admiral would have been involved in the specifics of the case. Shooting at a Star vessel? Unless .... of course, it would make sense, could make sense. Stop the vessel to stop the pursuit. But do it slowly so they could escape. How very nice of them, how very bl**dy civil. And the gall to blame it on the crew, on him instead. But a bottle of whiskey? That wasn't an apology. It was an insult. Oops, sorry about your ship. Now let's have a drink and we'll forget all about it? Surely nobody in Star Fleet would think that that would clear any bad feelings? Archibald regarded the bottle in his hand when Dale's question broke his thoughts. “Of course, with your permission Sir? I’ve a Doctor...and indeed a mother to see.” "Uhh, yes, of course. Thank you for this Lieutenant. I will make sure that it will be made available to the crew. Well, some of them, it wouldn't do much if we spread it around 1400 people. Or....." Archibald fell silent, then smiled. "Perfect," he said with a grin, but then stopped and looked at Bracken then waved with his hand. "Off you go then. I guess there are a few others that will want to see you. Oh, and Lieutenant. It IS good to have you back. Now, get!" (posted by Adrie Geuken) ********************************************************* Interlude Stardate: 2407.02.19 ********************************************************* (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum - Maragu –1025) "Maragu get this, Maragu get that, Maragu this is too expensive!" Maragu muttered under her breath. "Maragu needs to make living too!" Maragu rummaged around her store shuffling items from one pile to the next. It was dimly lit, as the bright lights of the station hurt her eyes. As it was people seemed to enter her shop only to trouble her. She always had what they needed, but they never seemed to come to Maragu first. "Always that charmer tries to steal them from me," she muttered, carrying a case over Draylaxian whiskey to the shelf. She counted them out and entered it into her padd double checking her inventory. Walking over to a pile of trinkets, Maragu ran her fingers in inspecting them to see if they could still be sold. "Tarnished." she commented to herself, as she drew out a rag from her shop keeper's apron and began to give them a bit of a polish. It was to this activity that Maragu devoted when a tall Klingon walked into her store. Maragu was quite short for an Orion, it was through sheer force of will that she had escaped and opened her store here. And she was not the youngest girl on the block, quite the opposite. Maragu turned her head toward the her visitor. Maragu harumphed. "What you want?" she asked, not being intimidated by the giant. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum, ACEO Lanista, 1026) "What you want?" Maragu grumbled. Lanista was pleased this merchant was neither pleasant, nor a Romulan, nor in need of dentures. "Darm sent me. He said you might have a dagger – petite, with a definite point. Long and slender. Humanly delicate, in other words. Would you have such an item?" Lanista asked in the Orion tongue. She had learned the language in her pre-Academy life. And it was odd how often it came in handy. (Posted by FT) ==== (Starbase Geneva - Deck 23, Promenade, Arcadium Extradomum - Maragu ­1027) Maragu stared at the towering Klingon, as it said in near perfect Orion, "Darm sent me. He said you might have a dagger – petite, with a definite point. Long and slender. Humanly delicate,, in other words. Would you have such an item?" ~Not bad for a Klingon~ thought Maragu, thoroughly impressed by her command of the language. "Your Orion is horrible. Speak Fed Standard and maybe you won't embarrass yourself. Or if you can't handle that, try some Klingon, I'm sure you might manage not to sound like a Romulan." spat Maragu derisively, standing her ground. (Reply Lanista) Maragu turned away from the Klingon and pulled out her padd, keying up her inventory. "Dagger, huh?" she said, dismissively. "Yeah, I got daggers." ~Ah..~ she thought, as she shoved the padd back into her pocket and then went to the back and found a large case more than half her height. Grabbing the handle, Maragu dragged the large case back to the front and dropped it in front of the Klingon. "No, no. Maragu got it," she said, as she flung open the case. "No, No," she said as she examined dagger after dagger. The daggers were all kinds of shapes with various pommels and blades. "Too big. Too wide. Too small. Too pointy. Hurumph." Maragu held up the blade she came upon. "This good. You buy!" Maragu said. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma, 1323) "Honestly, Gentlemen, I can't leave you alone for a second, can I?" said Nymes, as he scanned Sanok and Ben while they sat on a bench, resting after their ordeal in the fire. "How are you both feeling?" Sanok glanced at Ben, who seemed to get the worst of it, as something from the ceiling of the restaurant had fallen on him, giving him several burns. "I am fine, Doctor," said Sanok. "I inhaled smoke, but a medic gave me oxygen." "I got a bit of smoke as well as a few burns, a medic gave me oxygen and a quick scan to make sure the burns were not contaminated." Ben said. "Right. I'm sure station ops want to debrief you, but let's get you sorted first. How long were you in that fire?" "Less than ten minutes," said Sanok. "I was in the fire about 12 minutes, lost my bearings." replied Ben. The doctor gave both security officers an injection of a drug that would help them breath better, then said he expected them to come to sickbay. "That won't be necessary, Doctor," said Sanok, breathing much better. "I am fine. I will need to clean up and change my uniform, but I am fit to immediately return to duty." Doctor Nymes was called away to treat an injured firefighter, so Sanok turned to face Ben. "You are burned, so you should go to sickbay for treatment. I will begin filling out my report on this incident." Ben didn't want to go to sickbay but but knew Sanok was right, he required treatment for his burns. So relunctantly he said, "I'll go get treated and catch up with you after I grab a clean uniform." Then with a smile he said, "Save a little fun for me." With that he nodded and headed of for sickbay. Something about the fire didn't feel right, and why had it taken so long for the firefighters to respond to the call. What ever the cause he was certain that he and Sanok would get to the bottom of it. (Posyted by Milo) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS - Ensign (jg) Alex Jefferies - 1330) "Who wants to know?" she asked, in a not-unfriendly tone. Alex was taken back as he had managed to find the right person first time of trying ""i'm Ensign Alex Jefferies, i've just been posted here and Captain Stakes thought it might be a good idea if i introduce myself to you, so here i am." "Full marks for deduction," Kit said. "I am indeed Ensign Spero but since we're going to be working together, you can call me Kit," she said with a smile. "Have you had lunch yet, Alex? If not, you can share mine. They always serve too much, and its quite good really. Sit down," she added indicating the empty seat opposite her. Alex pulled out the seat that Kit had just indicated to him and sat down, he reached across to the tray of fruit and selected a banana. "thanx i'm starving haven't eaten since the transport over here i'm starving" Alex took a bit of the banana and looked back to Kit. Kit selected an apple from the fruit on her tray and bit into it. "I do like fresh fruit," she said after swallowing her bite. "And you don't always get that on a starship. So you met the Old Man? What did he tell you?" Alex took a few seconds to think about his reply "yeah i've met Captain Stakes, he seemed like a good man he told me that he runs a tight ship and likes his officers to follow the rules and regulations to the letter, which to me is fine and that i should meet up with yourself and second officer Lieutenant Bracken, but changing the subject slighty how long have you been serving under Captain Stakes" Alex asked. (Posted by Tom Hughes) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS - Ensign Cattia (Kit) Spero - 1332) "Yeah I've met Captain Stakes," Alex said after a moment. "He seemed like a good man. He told me that he runs a tight ship and likes his officers to follow the rules and regulations to the letter, which to me is fine. And that I should meet up with yourself and second officer Lieutenant Bracken, but changing the subject slightly how long have you been serving under Captain Stakes?" Alex asked. Kit thought for a few moments. "Let me see.... one month, two weeks, five days, 18 hours and four minutes. Give or take a few seconds." She caught sight of his expression and grinned. "No, I'm not part Vulcan. When I got the call to report in to Captain Stakes on the Dennison immediately, I was sitting on the best poker hand I'd had in years. I had all my credits on the table, and was poised to sweep the board. In five or ten minutes I'd have had a nice little nest egg. But I had to walk away and leave it. You don't forget that in a hurry." (reply Alex) "He's a good captain," Kit said, having given the matter due consideration. "I'd say one of the best, but on the other hand I've only served on one other ship so my experience is rather limited. He's a stickler for regulations all right but he knows when to break them. You can rely on him, and that's not something I say lightly about senior officers." She glanced up at the large chronometer display on the wall. "The Old Man told you to meet with Bracken, you said? Then how about I give her a call and ask her to come down here, that will kill two birds with one stone, and then after you've met her I'll introduce you to the joys of doing make-weight work on Geneva while we wait to see if they give us - or rather, the captain - a new ship? Oh and before I forget, there's a surprise birthday party tomorrow at 2000 hours in the Chat Noir on Deck 25, for the Captain's Yeoman. Who's also his daughter, so I suggest you attend," she added with a wink. (Posted by Liz) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1340) She caught sight of his expression and grinned. "No, I'm not part Vulcan. When I got the call to report in to Captain Stakes on the Dennison immediately, I was sitting on the best poker hand I'd had in years. I had all my credits on the table, and was poised to sweep the board. In five or ten minutes I'd have had a nice little nest egg. But I had to walk away and leave it. You don't forget that in a hurry." Alex almost laughed but stopped himself in time "hell no you wouldn't forget that in a hurry!" "He's a good captain," Kit said, having given the matter due consideration. "I'd say one of the best, but on the other hand I've only served on one other ship so my experience is rather limited. He's a stickler for regulations all right but he knows when to break them. You can rely on him, and that's not something I say lightly about senior officers." She glanced up at the large chronometer display on the wall. "The Old Man told you to meet with Bracken, you said? Then how about I give her a call and ask her to come down here, that will kill two birds with one stone, and then after you've met her I'll introduce you to the joys of doing make-weight work on Geneva while we wait to see if they give us - or rather, the captain - a new ship? Oh and before I forget, there's a surprise birthday party tomorrow at 2000 hours in the Chat Noir on Deck 25, for the Captain's Yeoman. Who's also his daughter, so I suggest you attend," she added with a wink. "yeah i'd appreciate that save me spending hours trying to track her down, and be good to see how a pro hands ops work, well that is of course if you don't mind me watching you?" Alex had a good feeling about Kit, she seemed like a nice person and he was looking forward to working with her in the future. (Posted by Tom) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1341) "Yeah I'd appreciate that, save me spending hours trying to track her down, and be good to see how a pro hands ops work, well that is of course if you don't mind me watching you?" Kit grinned. "Oh you won't be watching me. You'll be helping me. All Captain Stakes's crew have been 'volunteered' to help out on the starbase until they decide what to do with us all now the ship's kaput, and I guess as a new crewmember that applies to you too." (reply Alex) Suddenly her eyes lit up and her smile widened. "Of course! YOU are a NEW crewmember! That must mean someone somewhere in the brass thinks that Captain Stakes is going to get a new ship! Else why send you to him?" Suddenly Kit felt a lot happier than she had for a while. "Alex, you're a good luck charm!" she exclaimed, and tapped her commbadge. "Ensign Spero to Lieutenant Dale Bracken. I'm in the Mess Hall on Deck 65 with our new A-OPS, Ensign Jefferies, and Captain Stakes wishes him to meet you. Would you care to join us?" (Posted by Liz) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1345) Kit grinned. "Oh you won't be watching me. You'll be helping me. All Captain Stakes's crew have been 'volunteered' to help out on the starbase until they decide what to do with us all now the ship's kaput, and I guess as a new crewmember that applies to you too." Alexed laughed at what Kit said "well i'm up for the challenge plus i wouldn't want any speacial treatment i want to make a good impression on the Captain." Suddenly her eyes lit up and her smile widened. "Of course! YOU are a NEW crewmember! That must mean someone somewhere in the brass thinks that Captain Stakes is going to get a new ship! Else why send you to him?" Suddenly Kit felt a lot happier than she had for a while. "Alex, you're a good luck charm!" she exclaimed, and tapped her commbadge. "Ensign Spero to Lieutenant Dale Bracken. I'm in the Mess Hall on Deck 65 with our new A-OPS, Ensign Jefferies, and Captain Stakes wishes him to meet you. Would you care to join us?" Alex stood there shocked he'd never been called a good luck charm before he found it funny and kind of odd. though what Kit said did make sense why would he have been assigned to Captain Stakes if we wasn't going to get a new ship, he smiled at Kit "well i must say that i've never been called a good luck charm before but hay first time for everything and hopefully i'll prove you right" (Posted by Tom) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 – Personal Quarters – CSO/2O Dale Bracken – 1346) =/\= Ensign Spero to Lieutenant Dale Bracken. I'm in the Mess Hall on Deck 65 with our new A-OPS, Ensign Jefferies, and Captain Stakes wishes him to meet you. Would you care to join us? =/\= The commcall pulled Dale out of the slumber that she had slipped into, “Acknowledged, I’m on my way, Bracken out.” She stood up, and pulled her uniform straight, then began to make her way toward the mess hall. (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1347) =/\=Acknowledged, I’m on my way, Bracken out.=/\= The 2O's voice sounded a little muzzy, ~almost as if she's just woken up~ Kit thought, then dismissed it as imagination. "Well I must say that I've never been called a good luck charm before but hey first time for everything and hopefully I'll prove you right," Alex said with a smile. "Oh, I'm sure you will," Kit said happily. "We've all been pretty uncertain what was going to happen but I don't see BuPers sending the Old Man new officers if they're not going to give him another ship." ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 – Mess hall – CSO/2O Dale Bracken – 1350) Dale strode into the mess hall, spotting Ensign Spero across the room, she changed her course toward the table. On the way across the room, she grabbed a barman, “Coffee please, and another of whatever the two Ensigns had last, brought over to the table please.” She sat down, “Kitt, you sound way too chirpy, good news? Aside from a new Assistant.” (Reply Spero) She reached across the table, and shook the new Ops Ensign’s hand. “Ensign Jefferies, welcome aboard, or at least, she motioned around her, welcome to Geneva, which will be your home for the next...how long.” (Posted by Mark) ==== (Starbase Geneva - Deck 62, TAC/SC's office - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Sanjay Smith - 1351) The morning had been long, as Smith had been called in on some fool ambassadorial request. The afternoon wasn't getting any better. He took a drink from his cup, hoping to push aside the desire to strangle something He was shuffling through some other padds, when his enunciator sounded. He looked up and then checked his chronometer. ~Must be those Dennison security officers~ he thought, as he put down the padd and started to look for the one he'd need for this meeting. "Come." he said. The door opened to admit a tall lieutenant. Smith rose to greet her. "You must be Lieutenant Shrekt." he said, as he extended his hand. She accepted it and nodded, "I am, Commander. I must say I was surprised to hear from you." "Yes, but the situation is different now. I'm sorry to call you on such short notice," he said, as he motioned for her to take a seat. Shrekt waved him off, "No need to apologize Commander. I wasn't doing anything particularly important." As Shrekt sat down, he continued, "The information that has resulted from the fires in the promenade have raised security concerns and I do not care to be called out on it." "I understand, Commander. What can I do to help you?" Shrekt replied, appearing unconcerned. Smith studied her for a bit and then said, "Why don't we wait for Ensigns Sanok and Soma to arrive before continuing this discussion." "As you wish, it is your show, Commander. Frankly, I was quite surprised to hear about the altercation on the promenade." stated Shrekt. Smith glowered at the statement. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - OPS Ensign Cattia Spero - 1352) She sat down, “Kit, you sound way too chirpy, good news? Aside from a new Assistant.” Kit grinned as she explained. "He *is* the good news, Lieutenant. I mean, we were all in limbo, not knowing whether they'd give us a new ship or what. But now, they've sent Captain Stakes a new officer. When we all know there are vacancies all over the fleet, right? So, if we have been assigned a new A-OPS then that must mean that they intend to give the Old Man - umm, I mean, the Captain, a new ship! And of course there's the party tomorrow night to look forward to, " she added happily. Kit liked parties. (reply Dale) "Lieutenant Bracken, this is Ensign Alex Jefferies, newly assigned to us as A-OPS. Alex, this is Lieutenant Dale Bracken, our 2O and our CSO." As Dale reached across the table and shook Alex's hand, and the two began talking, Kit selected another piece of fruit and watched the two others get acquainted. She kept half an eye on the time, she didn't want to be late back on duty. But she reckoned she still had another twenty minutes so she wasn't in a rush. (Posted by Liz) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies- 1355) She reached across the table, and shook the new Ops Ensign’s hand. “Ensign Jefferies, welcome aboard, or at least," she motioned around her, "welcome to Geneva, which will be your home for the next...how long.” Alex let go of Brackens hand "thank you sir, it's a pleasure to be here, and thank you for coming down to meet me as it may have taken me awhile to find my away around Geneva. And as for the how long part hopefully where get a new ship soon so we're be back out there making a difference" Alex wacthed as the barman approached with a mug in one hand which appeared to contain coffee and a tray of fresh fruit in the other, he placed them down on the table "here you go" he said as he placed the coffee infront of Bracken and the tray of fruit in front of Jefferies and Spero Alex watched as Bracken took a sip he decided to ask Bracken a question "if you don't mind me asking ma'ma how long have you served under Captain Stakes?" Alex felt nervous as soon as he had asked the question ~god i hope she doesn't mind me asking her~ (posted by Tom) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 65 - Mess Hall - A-OPS Ensign (jg) Jefferies - 1358) "Lieutenant Bracken, this is Ensign Alex Jefferies, newly assigned to us as A-OPS. Alex, this is Lieutenant Dale Bracken, our 2O and our CSO." As Dale reached across the table and shook Alex's hand, and the two began talking, Kit selected another piece of fruit and watched the two others get acquainted. She kept half an eye on the time, she didn't want to be late back on duty. But she reckoned she still had another twenty minutes so she wasn't in a rush. Alex felt nervous the whole time he was shacking Brackens hand as he really wanted to make a good impression here. the pair then spoke for a few minutes before Alex turned his attention back to Kit. "hay Kit what time you due back on duty?" he asked (reply Spero) "well if you don't mind i'd like to follow you up to Ops, so i can get to know the system, but thats only if thats ok with you?2 (reply Spero) Alex then turned to look at Bracken, who was sitting there quitely taking a sip of her drink. "and as long as you don't mind sir?" (posted By Tom) ********************************************************* Interlude Stardate: 2407.02.20 ********************************************************* (Starbase Geneva - Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 2009) The festivities seems to swirl about, as Shrekt did her best to appear in a celebratory mood. She really wasn't sure what she was doing here. There were few activities that her presence was required and while it had not said so explicitly, she was under the distinct impression that she was expected. The number of people surprised her, mostly because it was a keen reminder of their current status. Most telling where the face that she did not see. While her time onboard the ship had been minimal, she knew the important faces and she did not see them all yet. Of course there was the possibility that they just couldn't be here or were not coming at all. But Shrekt suspected it was something far more unsettling. Like the ship herself, the crew was being separated. Shrekt's eyes wandered to the happy celebrant and the crowd of well wishers. She felt a slight tug at some long forgotten part of her, as she remembered some strange sensation. The image of the captain's daughter was replaced with that of her own and Shrekt questioned the wisdom of some past decision. Lost in her own thoughts, she did not notice the Captain approach. Shrekt tried to cover her surprise as she accepted a filled glass of liquid. "Your good health, Lieutenant," said the Captain as he raised his glass and took a sip. Shrekt automatically acknowledged his toast with a salute and took a little more than a sip from her own glass. Before she could return the toast with one of her own, the captain said in a whisper, "Family, Lieutenant. That's what it is all about. Family. And when times are hard, the family looks at the father and the mother to give guidance and reassurance. The family does not remember what mistakes either parent made, only if they provide assurance, safety, a look forward. Don't dwell on what you could have done, or should have done. Dwell on what you did and how you are going to learn from it.'' His voice seemed to harden as he continued, "I will see you in my office tomorrow at nine hundred hours sharp. And if you don't smile within the next two seconds, I am going to rip your bl**dy sour face off. It's her bl**dy birthday!" Shrekt smiled reflexively and bit back a laugh at the captain's attempt at intimidation. She had been intimidated by the best and at the moment, he didn't rank. The humor in the captain's threat may have been lost upon him as she would have welcomed a physical confrontation to take her mind off her own inner turmoil. "Aye, aye, captain," she said with a forced grin on her lips. Shrekt then raised her glass and said sincerely, "To your health captain... Shrekt paused, glanced soberly at his daughter and finished her toast, "and your family's." Shrekt then downed the remainder of the her wine in a single pull. "Wine!" she ordered. She rose, as her a waiter came by. "I shall see you tomorrow, sir. Now if you will excuse me, I shall mingle." she said. "Congratulations on this happy occasion." (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva - Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - OO Petty Officer 1st Class Chrystine Nicklaus - 2010) "And without getting thrown in the brig either." commented the Dennison's FlOps. Chrystine nodded and giggled as she put down her glass. "I know!" she said in a slightly disbelieving tone. "I was sure we were done for when she started to drag us in the other direction. She accepted another glass with a non-syntheholic alternative that Mia desired. "So.. uhm.. what does one normally do at one of these things?" Mia asked. "Oh there's lots to do," said Chrystine, who felt quite parched from all the shopping they had done earlier. Taking a sip, she continued motioning toward the dance floor, "There's dancing." "And there'll be songs." she said motioning towards a band set up near the dance floor. "But mostly there'll be friends and food!" she said, as she turned her attention to food. "This is a buffet, so kinda like the mess. Only the waiters are helping to bus the tables and serve drinks. Why don't we go grab something to eat and then we can cool our heels for a while?" Chrystine stood up and offered a hand to her tired friend. "We should probably grab some food for Esme too, she might not get there before the good stuff is gone." commented Chrystine as she lead them over to the buffet line. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Captain Archibald Stakes , Yeoman Esme Stakes and Mei Ling Hikaru - 2011) "We should probably grab some food for Esme too, she might not get there before the good stuff is gone." Mei Ling overheard Chrystine say as she led Mia to the buffet table. "That's alright," Mei Ling said. "We have plans for the birthday girl." She lowered her voice. "Esme doesn't know yet but her mother and brother are waiting in back. They're going to surprise her. And Henri has laid on a special table for the family." She winked at the girls. "What, you thought that Archibald didn't set this up?" she grinned. (reply Chrystine, Mia, iyw) Archibald overheard the exchange and realised that if he wanted to surprise Esme, he'd better act fast. He made his way over to the now-thinning group surrounding Esme. "Excuse me, people, Esme is now going to enjoy her birthday dinner with her old man. If you don't mind," he said with a staring look. "Dad!" Esme exclaimed, shaking her head at her father, then looked at the others. "I'm sorry," she said, "You'll have to forgive him. That's his idea of being subtle." The group broke up with a few grins and Archibald led Esme to a table and held out a chair for her so that when she sat down, she would be facing away from the direction from which Lydia and Bill would appear. (Posted by Adrie and Liz Geuken) ==== (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - The Stakes Family - 2016) Esme started to get up to go to the buffet, but Henri came rushing over. "No, no, the birthday girl is the guest of honour! I have arranged for special service for your table only," he beamed at her. "I must go back to my kitchen but my staff will bring you all you require," he said and snapped his fingers imperiously before bowing and heading towards the swing doors that led to his kingdom. Blushing when Ele made her short speech, and listening with enjoyment to the music that the 'Wandering Minstrels' played, Esme didn't hear the footsteps approaching the table and so was taken unawares when two hands were placed over her eyes. "Guess who?" a voice said. "BILL!" shrieked Esme, pulling his hands away and leaping up to embrace her brother. "I thought you were with Mummy!" "He is," Lydia said, smiling as she hugged her daughter when Bill let his twin go. "Happy birthday, poppet! You didn't think we'd miss this, did you?" With a hint of a smile, Archibald nodded to the three as he sat himself down and flicked a napkin open. "Aren't you hungry?" he said. "I'm positively starving. Let's eat." "I thought you'd never ask," Bill said, holding a chair out for Lydia before taking his own seat. Waiters came to take their order, and a bottle of champagne appeared, nestling in a bucket of ice. Lydia raised her glass. "To Esme and Bill," she said. "And many happy returns!" With a grin, Archibald raised his glass. "Here, here," he said simply. ==== (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, ACEO Lanista, 2017) Lanista, in Klingon-style furs with Vulcan accessories, entered the establishment carrying two cases of beverages for Mei Ling Hikaru (one of bloodwine atop one of Romulan ale) and a black lacquered box containing a blade for the guest of honor. The station was quite large, and it had taken her a while to find the eatery that was the location of the Age of Inclusion Ritual. The ACEO of (two-thirds of) the Dennison eyed the room, looking for those few shipmates she'd met and would recognize… which wouldn't be many at all. Circumstances of the last mission had made getting acquainted inconvenient if not actually difficult. Lanista crossed to the bar and set the cases down. She put the ale aside, opened the bloodwine crate and took a bottle. While the Wandering Minstrels performed their number, Lanista moved from the bar to a nearby table and sat down with her bloodwine. She carefully set the box containing her gift for Esmeralda Stakes on the table. (Posted by FT) ==== (Starbase Geneva – Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Lt (sg) Donald Johnson - 2021) "That should do for now," Donald said to himself, as he lay down another tray of appetizers. He smiled at a crewman who was helping himself to the newly offered tray of goodies. Donald turned to survey the crowd of attendees, who he seemed to know a good number of from his time on the Boudicca. Life on the station seemed to suit him. He had been transferred off for who knows what reason and then he had put temporarily assigned here for who knows how long. But at this point in his life, he had no complaints. His eight years of serving in Star Fleet had served as a good distraction from his amnesia and with good friends and good food, it hardly seemed a thing to be missing most of his memories. Here on the station though he met all kinds of interesting folk and he was able to grow a larger garden than on a starship. Plus he had greater access to food stuffs, since he was relatively stationary and his contacts could find him more readily. Satisfied the buffet would last for a bit, he waved to Henri that he was going to take a break. Picking up a glass of milk, Donald's eye wandered looking for a seat. Scouring the crowd, he came across an unusual site. Someone dressed in traditional Klingon garb, a rather tall looking Klingon. ~That must be who Darm was talking about.~ thought Donald, as he made his way to her table. "Hello, my name is Donald," he said, as he approached. "Is this seat taken?" (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, ACEO Lanista, 2022) "Hello, my name is Donald. Is this seat taken?" said a tall, broad-shouldered man. Lanista eyed the man, though without taking the bottle of bloodwine from her lips. She had always considered 'Is this seat taken?' a silly question. If a seat is occupied, it is taken. If it is not occupied, it is not taken. Whether or not someone was present on a chair would be readily evident to all but the blind. Still, the man had a better than 50% chance of outranking Lanista, so she decided to be humanly civil. Setting the bloodwine down, she answered that the chair was free. "Donald? Do I know you?" she asked. (Posted by FT) ==== (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Lt (sg) Donald Johnson - 2023) Donald took the offered seat, as the Klingon asked, "Donald? Do I know you?" "No, I don't believe you do." he replied, as he sipped his milk. "But I do believe we have a common acquaintance. Darm." (Reply Lanista) "I ran into him today, while picking up some ingredients Henri needed for this evening. He mentioned he had run into a Klingon officer who held particular items." Donald explained. "From his description, I can only assume that he meant you. He did fail to give me you name, though." (Reply Lanista) "A pleasure to meet you. I see you are dressed in Klingon garb, do you prefer traditional Klingon food as well?" Donald asked. He enjoyed most alien cuisine, raw or cooked. It was the still alive that didn't always sit well with him. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ==== (Starbase Geneva, Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir, Yeoman William Stakes, 2055) Bill released his dance partner at the end of the song and bowed with a grin. The female Ensign, who he had never met before, smiled back and made a gesture of drinking from a fictitious glass, then pointed the 'glass' at him. Bill shook his head to signal that he was ok and watched her leave the dance floor, her hips swaying dangerously from side to side. As he watched her, he saw his sister look at him and the woman, then ostentatiously shaking her head, like their father did when he was unhappy about something the kids had done. The now 23 year old Yeoman shrugged at his twin then made a face towards Esme's partner,and imitated the shaking of the head. Esme looked at him, her partner, then back at him again and quickly stuck out her tongue to him. Bill shook his head in mock disbelieve then waved her off as he turned to find another partner. not finding anyone that he took a fancy to, he shrugged and made his way off the dance floor to wait for the return of the petite science officer that he had danced with before when he suddenly saw a woman sit by herself, a case next to her. As Bill watched her it suddenly struck him that she was tall, very tall. And she was Klingon. Bill looked around, jut to make sure that she was indeed alone before he stepped up to her table. "Hi there," he said with a cheesy grin. "I'm Bill. Do you dance?" (Posted by Adrie Geuken) ==== (Starbase Geneva ­ Deck 25, Promenade, Restaurant Le Chat Noir - Admiral Lydia Stakes and Captain Archibald Stakes - 2116) The meal was over, and Esme and Bill were both on the dance floor with separate partners. Lydia moved to sit next to Archibald. "Well done, Arc," she said softly, laying her hand on top of his. "It worked perfectly." Archibald patted her hand. "I'm not completely useless," he said with a smile. "And besides, after the last year they earned their moment of happiness. I must admit there was a time I didn't think you'd be able to make it." Lydia nodded. "For a while there, when the Dennison was attacked, I thought you and Esme might not make it." she said in a serious tone. "But we did make it. All of us. And Hesper tells me that you will not be facing charges. The only question that remains is what will happen to you and your crew." Archibald sighed, then gave his wife a look. "So are you going to give me the good news then?" "I'm afraid a large part of your crew will shortly be reassigned," Lydia said. "Fourteen hundred people is a lot to keep together; Meredith class ships are few and far between and frankly, Arc, the Dennison was over-crewed. However, it may be possible to keep your officers together, and a rather smaller crew than you had." She wasn't sure how he would take what she was about to say, and watched her husband carefully. "You received a new officer yesterday, an AOPS, I believe, which (you not being born yesterday) you probably guessed signifies a possible assignment for you." She looked down at their hands, still entwined, and gave his a squeeze before continuing. "No doubt you've been watching the ship lists, and you know how rare it is for one to become available right now. We may have lost a lot of good people in the war, but we also lost a lot of ships. Sovereigns and Keltois are hard to come by. But there is one possibility, if you want it. If you don't then I'm not sure it'll be possible to keep any of your crew together. Too many other ships need officers and crew right now." "That bad, eh," Archibald said with a sigh. "So what are we talking about? A freighter with a gun-turret on top? A garbage scow?" "Things aren't quite that desperate," Lydia smiled tentatively. "There is a Nova class ship that was intended as a replacement for the Defiant-class attached to the starbase. She was commissioned to replace the Mithrandir, which was destroyed during the civil war. Captain Ariana is willing to wait for another ship, and let you take her. She's small but she's new and she needs a good captain and crew to run her. If you want her, she's yours. Science and exploration, Arc. Not a ship of the line. But she's all that's available." Archibald narrowed his eyes. "So take a little fart-box of a ship or have all of my crew spread across the expanse. Nothing against a Nova but it's not really a... proper ship," he said after a drawn-out pause. "I have..." he fell silent. "I had a good crew and I'm not sure a transfer to a Nova would be in their best interest." Archibald licked his lips. "I need to think about this," he admitted. "Would being spread out across the quadrant be in your crew's best interest?" Lydia asked gently. "It's not perfect, Arc. Far from it. But it's better than nothing, surely?" She paused, then added, "Why don't you look her over and see if the lines do anything for you before you make a decision?" Archibald nodded and was about to say something when hearty laughter rang out from the dance floor which both of them recognised immediately as belonging to Esme and Bill. Archibald sighed. "Listen to the racket that they're making. I blame you of course, you've always been way to weak with them." Lydia grinned. "Of course it's my fault." She stood up and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of his seat. "Come on, you old fogey, stop being such a grouch. It's your children's birthday and..." she listened to the lively jive that was playing, "...they're playing our tune. What say you and I show these youngsters how to dance?" Archibald looked at her, then at the dance floor. "Would that be a command, Admiral?" he asked, seemingly serious. Lydia's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Let's call it a request that you choose to grant, my love," she said as she pulled him towards the floor. "Oh, granted," Archibald said with a wave of his hand. "At least now I know how many times I'm supposed to kick against your shins. Oh but one thing, Lydia. Keep me away from the Romulan ale or Grandpa's moonshine. Some people might take it the wrong way when I start wearing your..." Whatever Archibald was about to say was drowned by Lydia's laughter. "No moonshine, love. At least not until we're safely back in our quarters," she said. Archibald narrowed his eyes as he studied his wife for a moment then looked at the people on the dance floor before coming to attention for a fraction of a second as he said, "Yes, Sir!" (Posted by Adrie and Liz Geuken) ********************************************************* Interlude Stardate: 2407.02.21 ********************************************************* (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - aCO Cmdr Olorin Okita - 1100) Olorin sat on a futon sipping some hot tea. He was looking forward to the end of this assignment and turning over this vessel to Captain Ariana. This might very well be his last assignment. He certainly wasn't up for any promotions and while he would probably find a berth somewhere, it just wasn't the same. With the captain gone, he wasn't sure if wanted to keep gallivanting around the galaxy. It had been a long and eventful career. And he was still young enough, he would enjoy building a small house and enjoying the serenity of nature. Perhaps he would teach or learn a new skill. He still hadn't decided. For now, he was content to complete what small assignments that Star Fleet deemed him skilled enough to complete. The end of the war was a welcome thing, although the aftermath was just as difficult. Olorin imagined it would be some time before things returned to normal. He had friends from many planets who he was trying to re-establish contact with and he could see that some were a bit cold toward him. Olorin held the cup up to his mouth and breathed in the serene odor that arose from the tea cup. Sometimes the simple things were the best. =/\=Commander! Commander! Commander!=/\= the comm blared out. Olorin hung his head a bit with a wry smile on his lips. He tapped his commbadge and replied, "This is Okita, how may I be of service?" =/\=We're here! We're here!=/\= the comm replied excitedly. "I see. I shall be there shortly." he answered, placing the tea back onto the tray with the rest of the tea service. Stretching out his legs, Olorin came to his feet and headed for the Bridge. (USS Mithrandir - Bridge - aCO Cmdr Olorin Okita - 1120) Olorin stepped out onto the bridge and headed for one of the two center seats. He actually sat in the first officer's chair, not quite comfortable sitting in the captain's seat. The Mithrandir had a truly skeletal crew with only about twenty of them onboard. But it was certainly a lively crew. "Report!" he said, as he took his seat. "I told you, we're here!" answered the strange Logren at OPS. ~Perhaps not so strange, since I have not met another in Star Fleet~ mused Olorin. ~Perhaps we should be grateful for that.~ "Helm bring us out of warp," Olorin ordered. "Aye, aye," replied the Helm. "Have we made contact yet?" Olorin asked the OPS. "Nope, nope, nope. I was waiting for you to make the call!" replied the Logren. "Thank you, crewman" replied Olorin. "Open the comm." "It is open!" answered the Logren after a moment. "Starbase Geneva, this is Commander Olorin Okita of the USS Mithrandir." said Olorin =/\=This is Starbase Geneva Flight Control.=/\= "Requesting permission to dock, Flight Control." said Olorin, as he looked at the main viewer, the large base growing as they drew near. =/\=Understood Mithrandir, You are cleared to dock.=/\= Olorin checked over the ship's status. "Lock on" he said to the officer at the helm. "Systems locked," reported the Helm. Olorin nodded as the diminutive ship was dwarfed by the immense station. "Geneva, you have control," said Olorin. =/\=Affirmative Mithrandir. Sit back and relax.=/\= "Thank you, Flight Control. Mithrandir confirms," answered Olorin. "And be gentle!" warned the OPS. "Crewman," admonished Olorin, his head snapping to the ops station. He received a suitably hurt look from the OPS, who nonetheless remained silent for the next several seconds before starting up again. Olorin tuned out the chatter and watched as the Mithrandir was drawn into the cavernous space dock that would be the Mithrandir's new home. ~Now for the next adventure.~ he thought. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) ******************************************************************** Th.th.th.th.th.th.th.th.that's all, Folks!